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Comments on DOE Energy Efficiency Standards for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TIA CONTACT: EILEEN BRAMLET, TIA, +1.703.907.7749, ebramlet@tiaonline.org
PR CONTACT: BETH DOZIER, RATIONAL 360, +1.202.429.1833, bethdozier@rational360.com
TIA Files Comments on DOE Energy Efficiency Standards for Battery Chargers and External Power Supplies
ARLINGTON, VA (May 29, 2012) - The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) today filed comments with the Department of Energy in response to the DOE’s effort to develop mandated energy efficiency standards for battery chargers and external power supplies. TIA expressed appreciation for the energy conservation program run by the DOE in achieving efficiency gains with a variety of single function, mature product technologies (i.e. refrigerator-freezers, air conditioners, water heaters, faucets, etc.) covered by the Energy Policy & Conservation Act (EPCA). TIA recommended that while battery chargers and external power supplies are less complex than some ICT equipment, these technologies will still require greater regulatory flexibility given the variety of designs utilizing and integrating battery charger functionality and external power supplies into modern electronic equipment. For example, TIA agreed with the DOE that mandated standards for nascent and immature technologies, such as wireless chargers, would restrict innovation and should not be included in the rulemaking. TIA also recommended several technical options for how the DOE could apply the proposed regulation to cordless phones and other continuous use technologies without requiring costly and unnecessary redesign and manufacture of equipment to fit within the parameters of the proposed testing requirement.
On Friday, TIA also provided input to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Treasury in response to a proposed rulemaking that would require U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to seize covered appliances and equipment that do not comply with EPCA energy efficiency or labeling requirements. As EPCA covers over 50 different appliance and equipment categories, including battery chargers, which are commonly packaged with their accompanying devices, TIA expressed concern that this requirement would place an increasing and open ended burden on CBP. TIA noted, “Given the finite resources CBP has to fulfill its mission, requiring CBP to be on call to police virtually all appliances and consumer equipment would necessitate pulling resources and focus from its other responsibilities.”
About TIA
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) represents manufacturers and suppliers of global communications networks through standards development, policy and advocacy, business opportunities, market intelligence, and events and networking. TIA enhances the business environment for broadband, mobile wireless, information technology, networks, cable, satellite and unified communications. Members' products and services empower communications in every industry and market, including healthcare, education, security, public safety, transportation, government, the military, the environment, and entertainment. Visit tiaonline.org for more details.
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